Durban Container Terminals (DCT) has received a new fleet of straddle carriers and rubber-tyred gantry (RTG) cranes worth R892 million.
These are among the first of 100 cargo-handling machines set to arrive this year as part of Transnet’s broader investment in port infrastructure.
Speaking at the unveiling event at the Port of Durban, Transnet CEO Michelle Phillips described the equipment delivery as a “game changer” that will significantly improve operational efficiency.
“The arrival of the straddle carriers and RTG cranes is part of a larger rollout plan to enhance our container terminals’ capabilities,” she stated.
The new equipment includes 20 straddle carriers, costing R23 million each, for Pier 2 and nine RTGs, valued at R48 million each, for Pier 1. Deliveries began in December 2024 and will continue until May 2025.
This investment is a key component of Transnet’s R3.4 billion ‘Recovery Plan’ for the 2025 financial year, with DCT receiving the largest share.
Additional equipment arriving this year includes four ship-to-shore cranes for the South Quay, 40 haulers, and 67 trailers, expected between April and December 2025.
Looking ahead to 2026, Transnet will expand fleet upgrades to other ports, with Port Elizabeth receiving 12 straddle carriers, and Cape Town acquiring 28 RTGs and straddle carriers.
Phillips emphasized Transnet’s commitment to sustainability, highlighting that the new fleet consists of diesel-electric hybrid models approved by the Environmental Protection Agency.
“These machines not only reduce our carbon footprint but also have greater stacking capacity than previous models,” she said.
She acknowledged the delay in procurement, noting that staff had been working with outdated infrastructure for years. “We should have acquired this equipment four years ago, but our teams made a plan and kept operations running despite the challenges,” Phillips said.
Transnet Board Chairperson Andile Sangqu stressed that the company’s recovery hinges on addressing past inefficiencies.
“Investments like this lay the foundation for a more efficient and reliable Transnet,” he stated, adding that collaboration with the private sector would be key to upgrading port infrastructure.
DCT Chief Executive Earle Peters said the new equipment would help the terminal increase its handling capacity to over two million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) per year, up from the current 1.7 million TEUs.
MSC South Africa Managing Director, Captain Rosario Sarno, welcomed the fleet expansion, commending Transnet staff for maintaining operations despite equipment shortages. “They achieved a miracle under tough conditions, but now, with this new equipment, we can expect even better efficiency,” Sarno said.
Durban Harbour Carriers Chairperson Sue Moodley echoed this sentiment, noting that the deployment of additional straddle carriers to the landside would help reduce truck congestion at the port.
Over the past two years, Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) executives have engaged industry stakeholders to provide updates on their capital investment plans.
In 2023, DCT Pier 2 received 20 haulers, two reach stackers, one empty container handler, 10 trailers, two forklifts, and eight straddle carriers.
Other recovery initiatives include a strengthened maintenance strategy, a streamlined spare parts supply chain approved by the National Treasury, and the introduction of a fourth shift to support 24-hour operations.
Additional efforts to improve terminal fluidity include dedicated import evacuation channels and stacking export containers four high to optimize land use.
In the 2023/24 financial year, DCT Pier 2 processed 1.7 million TEUs, while Pier 1 handled 650,000 TEUs, collectively managing 60% of South Africa’s container volume.
Beyond Durban, Transnet’s 2025 capital expenditure will also support terminal upgrades in Richards Bay, East London, Cape Town, Gqeberha, and Saldanha Bay.
